Review: Bonnat Hacienda El Rosario

Lindy's Rating: 6.0 (previously **)

Richard's Rating: 6.0 (previously **)

chocolate maker Bonnat bar Hacienda El Rosario region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint and scoring aroma fruit (berry), earthy (wet musty), spice (clove) snap hard taste fruit (berry, watermelon, hint of citrus), sweet melt smooth length minimal finish very slightly bitter

Bonnat Hacienda El Rosario is made simply from Venezuelan cacao beans, cocoa butter, and sugar. The 100 gram bar is scored into 32 small pieces and one larger center piece imprinted with "BONNAT VOIRON" (Voiron is the home city of this French chocolate maker). Rosario contains 75% cocoa solids, and its color was a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015).

The aroma contained an earthy scent that Lindy described as "wet musty" (in contrast with the dry musty aroma of the Godiva Extra Dark Santo Domingo) and fruit, which we both experienced as a non-specific berry. In addition, I noticed a spice that seemed similar to clove.

Rosario's flavor was a mix of fruit, with both berry and watermelon, as well as just a hint of citrus. To me, this chocolate also tasted sweet. This chocolate had a nice melt and was smooth. It's length, however, was disappointing, with the flavor lasting only a few seconds (and thus in the minimal category). The final aftertaste was only a very slight bitterness.

Overall, we both rated Bonnat Hacienda El Rosario a high **. Some additional information about this particular bar is that it was marked as Lot A, best before January 2012. You can purchase it online at Chocolopolis for $9.99.